Part II: 2014 Reader's Choice Top 10 Blog Posts: #Music, #Inspiration, #Psychology, and More

Here's Part II of the Reader's Choice 2014 Top 10 Posts. Thanks to all of you for reading, liking, commenting, sharing and for over 145, 000 page views! Have a wonderful start to the New Year!

#5 Saturday's Songs For The Soul: "Brave" By Sara Bareilles With A Video That Will Touch Your Heart

#4 Thursday's Psychology Trivia: True Or False: Children Raised By Single Moms Tend To Be Emotionally Handicapped For Life 

#3 Thursday's Psychology Trivia Question: IQ Counts 4 What % Of Success In Life?

#2 Wednesday's Words Of Wisdom: Guest Post From Margie Bogdanow, LICSW

#1 #FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Designing A Good Life, Photos, Homelessness, & Tornadoes

#FF Weekend Review 11/23/14: Psychology, Art, Quotes & More

Thought for the Day: The weekend seems to have disappeared, but here's my weekend review from Flipboard. Enjoy!

Check out #FF Weekend Review 11/23/14 Psychology, Art GIFs & More by Barbara Bogdanow Lavi http://flip.it/fSr3C

#FF Wonderful Weekend Review: Psychology, Music, Dance, Photography, Comics & More

Click here to see the magazine

Thought for the Day: This morning as I went through my various social network sites' feeds, I found a song by +Mary Gauthier, a great singer songwriter who attended several of my songwriting retreats many years ago, before she sold a small Cajun restaurant in Boston and decided to devote her life to her music. When I tried to find the post using flipboard. I could not find it, but found many other great songs, photos, videos and articles to share with you today. Be sure to check out +Sarah McLachlan's rendition of  "The Rainbow Connection,"and LIGHTS singing "Drive My Soul." A great video showing how 3 musicians surprised a homeless man. There are two dance videos, one that may help change the trend in the dance world to turn away dancers who don't fit the image usually required for professional dance troupes. Keep reading to find an article on ways that hiking is good for your mental and physical health and another on how to motivate yourself to do things you don't want to do. My heart is heavy each time I hear the news from the fighting in Gaza and Israel. I chose a few things about how to make peace and helping others in need. Sadly, it does not look like the efforts to attain a cease fire are holding.
Read on to listen to "Oh Soul" Marry Gauthier's new song...

Sunday's Comic Strips: Soy Milk, Alphabet of Obsolete Words, Mood Poisoning, 4th of July & More

Thought for the Day: Just an observation, I noticed that there were not many funny posts this weekend. Somehow the 4th of July gives us all pause to think about more serious things like patriotism, war and sacrifice. I was able to fine some funny images to share with you. I will put one below so that you can take in all the obsolete words. Enjoy!

A big shout out and thank you to my Facebook and g+ friends for today's comics. I really appreciate the wonderful finds that bring smiles to all: Facebook Friend Ray William Johnson for Soy Milk, +klára velez   Kid & Cat,  +Daniel Draper  Sea 2 Shining Sea, +Herb Firestone  & wrong hands wordpress.com for Alphabet of Obsolete Words, +David John  for Forgiveness & Peace, and +Kimberly Stuart for Romantic Comedy, Housework, Mood Poisoning, & Bed = Magical Place

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: 4th of July Recipes & Deals, Strike Out #ALS, Soccer Salsa, Habit Change & More

Click here to view the magazine

Thought for the Day: In honor of the Fourth of July today's finds include

4th of July Recipes & 15 Great 4th of July Deals, Strike Out ALS, Soccer Salsa, an article on Habit Change, Great Photos, Gun Free Target

Hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Sunday's Comic Strips: Technology's Impact on Humanity

Thought for the Day: Here are a few comics which offer commentary on technology's impact on humanity. Hope you enjoy them. I found them all on google+. Thanks to +Rahul mina, +Little Fun ,
+AnGeLo BeAu  +Florina Ciurea & +Frank Majidi from G+ community Funny Technology.

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Mother's Day Gifts, Newborn Photos, Adorable 5 Year Old on Ellen, and Animated Movie Posters

Thought for the Day: It's Friday and time for some #FF Fabulous Finds. Since Sunday is #MothersDay I chose an article with some suggestions for Mother's Day gifts. a clip from the Ellen Show of an adorable 5 year old Kai Langer covering Katy Perry's "Roar," and 29 creative photos of newborn infants. Then I found some animated movie posters that are a lot of fun....

Sunday's Comic Strips: A Funny Clown & A Dog Photographer

Photo from GaborFromHungary on Morguefile.com

Thought for the Day: I love Google+. It has exposed me to some wonderful communities including many amazing photographers. I had fun putting two photos together to bring you the clown in the photo above. The second "comic" strip photo for today comes from a new Google + friend +Assad Bangash. Read on to see his great photo that could give us a dog's view of the world...

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: Designing a Good Life, Photos, Homelessness, & Tornadoes

Thought for the Day: Today #FF could stand for Frustrating Friday instead of Friday's Fabulous Finds. I have been finding Flipboard to be a great way to share great finds for the last few weeks.This week, I have been having trouble. I designed a magazine on my computer, but when I load it on my computer only part of the articles load, just the first page. So I used my phone, which is how I designed them in the past. However, the same problem arose with the second magazine. On my phone app the whole thing is displayed. Please let me know if you are able to open all the pages. There are pictures taken of tornadoes devastation, a great article on Uncertainty and designing a good life, some photo highlights and an article on Homelessness in "Happiest Place on Earth."

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Dr. Lavi on Being a Psychologist

Thought for the Day: It's only Wednesday and I have been very busy. So much so that I did not post yesterday. I looked at an earlier post today to reshare and found a quote that I created a while back. It was inspired by a Carl Rogers quote on optimism. I decided to make a new "moving" image for my quote that better captures the privilege of being a therapist. I hope that you will find your calling and be as energize by your work as I am. Have a wonderful day.

#FF Friday's Fabulous Finds: #TFF2014, Blind Pole Vaulter, Lego Building Career, NYC World Fair Photos

Thought for the Day: I have some wonderful finds for you today from Flipboard. I am still haven't figured out how to add something from outside flibboard, but want to mention that the Tribeca Film Festival #TFF2014 is ending this Sunday. If you are in NYC this weekend, it is well worth catching some great films. Even waiting in the rush lines for tickets is a fun and interesting experience. You can meet people from around the world, including aspiring actors and film makers. If you come early, you can get into the screenings. This week I saw "Art and Craft." It is a surprisingly funny, albeit touchingly sad and insightful documentary. The film exposes the life of an emotionally disturbed exceptionally talented artist. who donates his forged replicas of classic art to museums around the United States. I spoke briefly (and exchanged e-mails to continue the conversation) with the filmmaker, MARK BECKER,  who edited this film. It raised multiple questions for me as a psychologist about developing more creative treatment options for the mentally ill in our nation. I also saw "Below Dreams," a portrait of three twenty-something transplants to New Orleans in their search for their dreams. It is a cross between a documentary and narrative looking at the challenges three young people face in today's world.

My flipboard picks this week include a long, but well worth the read, cover story about a teenage blind pole vaulter. As those of you who have been following my blog know, I have been working for several years with the Blind Judo Foundation, which is featured in my book,  since they encourage blind athletes to reach for and accomplish their dreams by pursuing the sport of Judo. This young woman's dreams are literally taking her to new heights. If your dream is to build with legos for a living there's an article on how to be paid to play. (At the Tribeca Film Festival there is film about Legos, too, "Beyond the Brick: A Lego Brickumentary.") Other posts include photos from NYC's World's Fair which was held 50 years ago, some very creative lunch boxes, and packaging that sells itself. I hope you like my picks.

Sunday Comic Strips: Ikea Cat & Gorilla's View of Humanity

*Photo Credit

Thought for the Day: Sundays are simply reserved for comics today I'm sharing two related to animals. I simply loved the look on the cat's eyes in this clever photo combined with the universal knowledge of the frustration most people have had with the scanty Ikea assembly instructions. There's another cute cartoon with animals questioning why their fate is different from that of humans...

Sunday's Comic Strips: Parenting Demands Creative Solutions

Photo from HistoricalLOLs.com

Thought for the Day: Today's Comic Strips focus on the importance of creative parenting solutions. Don't try either of these solutions at home, unless you are a photoshop or videography whizz, however, as a psychologist, I believe keeping a sense of humor while parenting should be a prerequisite for Parenting 101.
     Above is a photo that reminds me of an experience I had many years ago while living in Israel. American friend's were visiting and asked that we watch their two young daughters. As a new immigrant, I was fortunate to have a been able to purchase a washing machine without 300% taxation on the appliance (at the time not many people owned machines) in my 5th floor walk up apartment, but did not have the luxury of owning a clothes dryer. I was on the back porch when:

Sarit: "What are you doing?" 

Me: "Hanging clothes." 

Sarit: "Why are you doing that?

Sunday's Comic Strips: Funny Vintage Photos Looking 4 Captions

*Photos

Thought for the Day: It's Sunday & time for comics. I decided to look for photos that could make funny valentines cards. Do you have any ideas for funny captions?  I made this photo for facebook, but you can click + for like A, share for prefer B and comment here if you have captions. Have a great end of the weekend!

There are just 3 days left to vote for your favorite photos from last year's blog posts for a chance to win a 1/2 hour consult with me and a free copy of The Wake Up and Dream Challenge. You will be asked first to like my facebook page and then place your vote.

Photo A from Flicr Creative Commons is from a jazz musician's promotion:

Gottlieb Collection Assignment No. 037

Reference print available in Music Division, Library of Congress.

Purchase William P. Gottlieb

Forms part of: William P. Gottlieb Collection (Library of Congress).

In: "Took 'em off," Down Beat, v. 14, no. 9 (Apr. 23, 1947), p. 3.

Subjects:

Brooks, Joan

Niles, Duke

Women jazz musicians--1940-1950.

Jazz singers--1940-1950.

Format: Portrait photographs--1940-1950.

Group portraits--1940-1950.

Film negatives--1940-1950.

Photo B is from:

George Eastman House

Contortionist, posed in studioAccession Number: 2003:1171:0010

Maker: Thiele's Photographic Rooms

Title: Contortionist, posed in studio

Date: ca. 1880

Superbowl Sunday Comics: Snow Sculpture Versus Freudian Slip

Or Comment If you have a different title or an interpretation for the Freudian Slip

Thought for the Day: Here are two funny photos which I found on Redit specially for Superbowl Sunday. Photo A said it was taken in Alaska, however it could have been taken in about 50% of the USA this year.  Photo B: A Freudian Slip or I think I'll pass on the specials! 
Let me know what you think. Plus if you prefer A, Share if you prefer B and comment if you don'i like either, have another Caption or an interpretation for the Freudian slip in B.

Hope you enjoy the photos and the game!

Part II: Reader's Choice Top 5 Words of Wisdom Posts 2013

Thought for the Day: As the eastern seaboard digs itself out from a foot or more of snow, I am sharing the 5 top Words of Wisdom Posts from 2013. It has been interesting to look back at all the posts and see which ones readers liked the best. I am honored that two of the top 5 were quotes that I created. It is also a pleasure to celebrate two years of blogging with you. It is amazing that since I started the Top 10 posts for 2013, page views have risen from just under 80,000 to over 84,000! Thank you for reading, liking, sharing and commenting! I decided to find a quote about birthdays for today's post. It is from an author I am not familiar with, Jarod Kintz, from his book, This Book Title Is Invisible. Kintz says, "The year you were born Marks only your entry into the world. Other years where you prove your worth, they are the ones worth celebrating." I hope that we will have many years to celebrate my blog and that it will always be worthy of you spending time reading it.

#5 JFK on Appreciation of Veterans

11/13/13

#4 The 3 Rules of Life

11/20/13

#3 Psychologist Carl G. Jung on Happiness

3/27/13

#2 The Fastest Way To Change the World is To Educate a Girl

12/4/13

# 1 Eleanor Roosevelt on Dreams

11/27/13

Top 5 Sunday's Comic Strips Posts of 2013

                                        

Thought for the Day: I have been out of town all day & tried to post this from my phone; however, was unable to post the photos related to the Top 5 Sunday Comic's Posts from my phone. It was quite frustrating! I was able to upload some of the photos & now I am having trouble with the formatting. Sorry, that I can't seem to straighten out the photos! At any rate, this is the 2nd installment of viewers' Top 10 most viewed posts in this category. I hope you enjoy them! # 3 & #1 have videos that should not be missed! Enjoy!

# 2 Every Rock Musician's Dream 
10/13/2013

               Free Range Children
              # 4 Free Range Children 
             11/24/2013

 

   Useful Dog Tricks

 #1 Useful Dog Tricks 

                      11/10/2013                  

    Best Toddler's Costume 2013
# 3 Best Toddler Costume of the Year 
11/3/2013

    

                    Clever Parking Sign

# 5 Clever Parking Sign 
11/17/2013

New Year's Wishes from The Wake Up and Dream Challenge

Thought for the Day: For a change, today, I decided to have pictures be my post. Here goes:

When resolutions be forgot & never brought to mind, try... 

Learning how to Wake Up and Dream...

Sunday's Comics Strips: Clever No Parking Sign

Thought for the Day: On Sundays, I try to take it easy & bring back a bit of the joy I had growing up reading the Sunday comics. I have not searched for funny photos for a while & did so this morning. Here's my pick for today. It's always refreshing when a business finds a creative way to advertise their business. If you have come across any clever signs, I'd love to see them & would be happy to post them in this Sunday Comics series. Have a great end of the weekend!

Sunday's Comic Strips: Useful Dog Tricks

Thought for the Day: I never owned a dog. When I was very young, my father took care of two Weimaraners for a few weeks. I was shorter than they were & when they tried to play with me I would be knocked down & frightened. My mother & brother were allergic to dogs & therefore, I never owned one. For all the dog lovers out there, here's a very funny video of some very useful dog tricks by Jesse. Hope you enjoy it & have a great end of the weekend!